Follow the author of this article

Follow the topics within this article

A lap dancing venue that was threatened with closure by equality groups has had its license renewed after its dancers insisted they were feminists too.

Urban Tiger, a gentleman's club located in Bristol City’s Centre, received its annual permit despite objections from women’s rights groups who called for the “sexist” venue to be closed.

Campaigners claimed that the club promoted outdated attitudes towards women as the dancers are objectified by the people who pay to see them perform.

They also argued that the venue, which hires 37 dancers and seven bar staff, is located too close to residential apartments and areas frequently used by families with young children.

But after hearing that the lap-dancers were “strong, independent feminists” working in a safe environment, Bristol City Council’s licensing sub-committee approved the Broad Quay venue’s sex entertainment licence application.

The club’s barrister, Philip Kolvin QC, told the hearing on Wednesday that Urban Tiger was an established and responsible club, in which customers and dancers adhered to the appropriate codes of conduct.

Mr Kolin said: “They regard themselves as feminists.

“They have generated a family atmosphere among club workers. The dancers are an integral part of the team. They are valued and protected.”

Strips clubs are legally required to update their Sexual Entertainment Venues licences every year to ensure maximum protection for the safety of staff and patrons.

There were no objections from the police to the renewal, and an inspection by the council’s neighbourhood enforcement team found no issues with the lap dancing venue itself.

However, sixteen objections were submitted by gender equality groups and local residents concerned about the message the club was sending to Bristol’s population.

A spokesperson for Bristol Fawcett women’s rights organisation said they opposed the licence renewal because violence against women was linked to a sexist culture encouraged by lap-dancing clubs, which she branded “sexist and harmful”.

Another objector said of the club's previous licence renewal: “I am unable to avoid seeing Urban Tiger whenever I go to the city centre area. I experience this as a constant reminder of my place as a woman in our society and of Bristol's tolerance of sexism.

“Alongside objectification concerns, others say it is not appropriate to have strip clubs in the centre of the city close to residential apartments and close to areas used by families with young children.”